BMW is responsible for some absolute smash hits and horrendous misses throughout 2022 thus far. On the one hand, you have the new 2023 BMW 3-Series you should consider buying, and on the other, we have some creatures like the iX. 2022 is the year that BMW's M division is officially turning 50 years old. As a result, BMW has been bombarding the automotive market with little anniversary gifts to themselves. Some of these gifts include a few limited edition models and 50 Jahre badges on their M and M light cars, but just recently, they unveiled the ultimate trick they had hidden up their sleeve... the 3.0 CSL.
If that name sounds familiar, it's because it should. Very few of these uber-expensive driver-focused sports cars are being built, and you'd be lucky to even see one in the flesh. Enough chit-chat though, let's get down to business and address the facts of the matter, and ultimately determine whether or not its ludicrous price tag is justifiable.
10 The BMW 3.0 CSL Has The Most Powerful Inline-Six In A BMW M Car
Let's talk facts first. BMW developed some of the greatest inline-six engines ever, and the new 3.0 CSL is no different. Just like all other high-performance Bimmers nowadays, the 3.0 CSL makes use of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine. However, this is no ordinary inline-six... this is the most powerful six-cylinder engine BMW has ever built.
This powertrain in particular emits a whopping 560 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. What will these power figures mean in the real world? Well, we'll have to sit around and find out...
9 Very Few The BMW 3.0 CSL Models Will Exist
Whenever BMW builds a limited edition car, they tend to use that term very lightly. Take for example the M5 CS, which is ought to be one of the most sought-after, exclusive BMWs. Around 1,000 units of this super sedan will ever exist. After all, it is one of the fastest sports sedans on the market.
Although that might be rather few, the new 3.0 CSL takes things up a notch. In the spirit of celebrating the M division's 50th anniversary, only 50 examples of the 3.0 CSL will ever see the light of day.
8 The BMW 3.0 CSL's Unique Exterior Features
There are an endless amount of features that distinguish the BMW 3.0 CSL from everything else on the road. Apart from its eye-catching paintwork, the 3.0 CSL also has some aggressive pieces of kit.
The most noteworthy ones include its massive rear spoiler, second roof-mounted spoiler, unique yellow headlights, gold wheels, and the list just keeps on and on and on.... wait until you find out about the interior though.
7 The BMW 3.0 CSL Is A Respectful Successor To Another Legendary M Car
The new 3.0 CSL is a modern reincarnation of the classic 3.0 CSL from the '70s, also known as the Batmobile. The OG 3.0 CSL inhabited a naturally-aspirated inline-six engine, and it too sent its power to the rear wheels via a manual gearbox, albeit a 4-speed.
Of course, the similar engines weren't the main thing these two cars had in common, it was the exterior bodywork. The r revived 3.0 CSL is just as extravagant-looking as its ancestor, only now, it's accompanied by an unorthodox amount of power.
6 The BMW 3.0 CSL Consists Out Of Mostly Carbon Fiber
See, there are a few reasons only 50 units of the 3.0 CSL will ever come to fruition. One of the main ones is the anniversary year, of course, but also the time it takes to construct one of these German behemoths.
CSLA team, of more than 30 technicians will be going hard at work for three months to birth 50 3.0 CSl models, and it will take them approximately 10 days per car. See, there's a good reason for that. Almost the entire 3.0 CSL exists of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) components, and they are all produced by hand. These areas of carbon fiber include the roof, hood, trunk lid, sills, and rear wing.
5 The BMW 3.0 CSL Has A Manual Gearbox
As we always say: Save the manuals! Although finding a manual transmission in a modern sports car seems like an impossible task at hand, some carmakers still try their utter best to satisfy their customer.
To play devil's advocate for a moment though... BMW has disappointed us numerous times in the past, but perhaps – just perhaps – they can win our hearts over with the new 3.0 CSL's 6-speed standard transmission.
4 The BMW 3.0 CSL Is Extraordinarily Expensive
Although we still need official confirmation from BMW themselves surrounding the 3.0 CSL's price, we have a relatively good estimate as to what it will be. Now, before we rip off the band-aid...
Let's just remind you this is a revival of a legend, a scarce mostly hand-built sports car, and one of the most visceral BMWs ever made. So, in order to acquire one of the fifty 3.0 CSL models, you're going to have to fork up at least €750,000 ($781,890).
3 The BMW 3.0 CSL Is Unbelievably Light
If you happen to not know yet, the CSL in 3.0 CSL stands for “Coupe, Sport, Leichtbau” – a fancy way to say lightweight. We're happy to report that the CSL in the 3.0 CSL's name is not just for show, it actually carries some meaning.
Since this Bimmer is basically sculpted out of nothing but carbon fiber, there's no wonder it's going to be light. How light, you ask? Well, the BMW 3.0 CSL weighs just 2,800 lbs (1,270 kg)!
2 The BMW 3.0 CSL's Unique Paintwork
Continuing the theme of celebrating the M division's 50th anniversary, the new BMW 3.0 CSL pays homage to this feat through its paintwork. Apart from the clear inspiration taken from the original 3.0 CSL's paintwork, there's an obscene amount of labor put into the process.
In BMW's official press statement they said, "This results in a total of 134 paint processes for each vehicle, adding up to a total of 6,700 manual work sequences in the paint shop for the entire small series of the special model."
1 The BMW 3.0 CSL Will Be One Of The Most Desirable BMW M Cars Ever Made
Although the new 3.0 CSL will cost an arm and a leg, and be as scarce as a hen's teeth, there has never been something as extraordinary as it before. Sure, the M4 CSL comes close, and the BMW M5 CS does as well, but the 3.0 CSL is another animal entirely.
We can't wait for this limited-edition BMW powerhouse to reach public roads and racetracks to see what it's truly capable of!
Sources: www.press.bmwgroup.com, bmw-m.com